IRAQI NSC DISCUSSES PLANS TO EXPAND THE NAVY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000363 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2019 TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL IZ SUBJECT: IRAQI NSC DISCUSSES PLANS TO EXPAND THE NAVY, POLICE AND ARMY, THE ALGIERS ACCORD, AND DETAINEES Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: At the February 8 meeting of the Iraqi National Security Council, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki acknowledged the need to improve the Iraqi Navy's ability to defend Iraq's ports and oil platforms, and that Iraq needed a more uniform posture when negotiating riparian border disputes with Kuwait and Iran. Maliki said the government could gain politically if detainees currently in U.S. custody are released in their home areas amid a celebration. The Interior and Defense Ministers argued for robust funding in order to take over security responsibilities as the U.S. withdraws by 2011, but Maliki and Deputy Prime Minister Salih warned that falling oil prices will strain budgets. End Summary. -------------- Plan to Expand the Iraqi Navy -------------- ¶2. (C) Rear Admiral Jawad Khadum, Commander of the Iraqi Navy, provided the Iraqi Navy's plan for expanding its ability to secure Iraq's ports, southern waterways and oil platforms. He argued additional resources and ships are necessary for Iraq's economic security, given that the country is dependent on southern ports and oil exports for income. Defense Minister Mufriji told Maliki the MOD was serious about completing this naval program but the purchase of some new ships has been delayed because of problems with the Finance Ministry. ¶3. (C) Khadum displayed a graphic showing the Iraqi Navy taking over waterway patrol responsibilities from the U.S. by the end of 2011, but the U.S. being responsible for Iraq's two oil platforms in the North Arabian Gulf through 2012. He pointedly told Maliki that Iraq is unable to defend its territorial waters from air, sea or underwater attacks. Khadum asked that the Navy receive resources to fulfill its development plan, rather than more money being directed to the Iraqi Army. -------------- Riparian Border Dispute with Kuwait and Iran -------------- ¶4. (C) Khadum then summarized the status of border disputes with Kuwait and Iran. The Navy is waiting for a diplomatic solution to the border dispute with Kuwait, Khadum said, and Iran has an incorrect understanding of the 1975 Algiers Accord. Prime Minister Maliki queried Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari on diplomatic progress in resolving these border disputes. Zebari responded that Iraq lacks a coherent, unified negotiating posture -- his MFA would deliver a message to the Iranians, for example, only to be later undercut by other Iraqi "political actors" who deliver a different message. ¶5. (C) Maliki said having joint oil fields with Iran is fine, but the Iraqi government "has problems" with the Algiers Accord. Iran is infringing on our rights by not respecting the proper waterway border, Maliki said, but this can be resolved by clarifying "technical" issues with the Iranians. Maliki appeared more concerned about what he called Kuwait's infringement upon the port of Umm Qasr. Maliki promised Zebari a more unified negotiating approach and told Khadum the government must work on equipping the Iraqi Navy. Ambassador Crocker asked the Iraqi government to inform Kuwait and Iran of any planned work on Iraq's undersea oil pipelines so to not cause alarm. -------------- Successful Intelligence-Sharing with Turkey -------------- ¶6. (C) Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili reported Iraq and Turkey, through the recently Qal-Waili reported Iraq and Turkey, through the recently established trilateral committee on combating the PKK, are successfully sharing intelligence on potential terrorist threats. Maliki responded that he felt the Turkish government is satisfied with its cooperation with Iraq even though Anakara has not said so in the media. -------------- - Maliki Seeks Political Boost through Detainee Releases -------------- - ¶7. (C) National Security Advisor Muwafuq al-Rubaie and Interior Minister Jawad Bulani briefly argued about whether the U.S.-Iraq Security Agreement implementation subcommittee on detainees had met to discuss how the government would vet and receive detainees that are currently in U.S. custody. Maliki asked for improved coordination, including sharing the BAGHDAD 00000363 002 OF 002 minutes of any meetings among relevant officials. Maliki ordered that once properly vetted, detainees be released in their home areas in the presence of their families and amid a festival. Maliki said having a festival would politically benefit the government. -------------- -- Plan to Expand Security Forces Faces Budget Constraint -------------- -- ¶8. (C) Minister of Interior Bulani and Minister of Defense Abd al-Qadir al-Mufriji both argued that their respective ministries needed robust financing to fulfill their planned force generation, even in the face of less revenue because of falling oil prices. Bulani said the MOI wished to increase its forces devoted to "federal security," such as border security forces. Mufriji said the Army has sufficient forces on the streets, but now needs resources to improve the MOD's technical capabilities. Bulani and Mufriji argued that to fill the security gap that will be left when the U.S. withdraws its forces by the end of 2011, the MOI and MOD need more resources this year. Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih warned that the 2010 budget will be tough because of the falling oil price, and told the MOI and MOD that "your security plans might have big funding shortages." Maliki said it is not possible this year to increase the number of police forces, but Iraq can work on increasing their quality through training. CROCKER